Reactions n the Wake of Anti-Gay Ballot Initiatives:Black Californians and Proposition 8: Is White Gay Anger Justifiable?

 

The public outcry likely stems from already strained relations between white gays and lesbians and blacks and from a misunderstanding of blacks' commitment to progressive and liberal causes. White gay racism and homophobia among black heterosexuals prevent these groups from forming meaningful political alliances. The immediate victims of this problem are black gays and lesbians, who have frequently described their isolation from both communities. While black homophobia is inexcusable and ultimately detrimental to blacks (see Same-Sex Marriage and Racial Justice), blacks and gays will only form viable coalitions if both groups begin to engage in healthy self-criticism and to seek avenues for inter-group understanding. Black gays and lesbians could facilitate this reflection and outreach. According to media accounts, however, the campaign to defeat Proposition 8 failed to draw upon the important resources of black gay and lesbian activists in order to persuade blacks to vote against the measure. The lack of diversity among mainstream gay and lesbian organizations probably explains their failure to engage in necessary community-based advocacy.

 

The Transgender Day of Remembrance was set aside to memorialize those who were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. The event is held in November to honor Rita Hester, whose murder in 1998 kicked off the "Remembering Our Dead" web project and a San Francisco candlelight vigil in 1999. Since then, the event has grown to encompass memorials in dozens of cities across the world.

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